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Steve Bruce claims it is ‘morally wrong’ to continue playing amid COVID-19 outbreaks
Newcastle United manager, Steve Bruce, has said that it is ‘morally wrong’ to continue playing football amid COVID-19 outbreaks. More than 60 games in England this season have been called off because of the pandemic. Newcastle were the first team to have a Premier League match postponed this season. Outbreaks at Derby County and Aston Villa mean that both sides will have to field U23 sides in the FA Cup. This week the EFL has recorded an astonishing 112 COVID cases – a new record. Villa, who host Liverpool tonight, have had to shut their training ground down after 14 COVID cases. Derby will also be without all of their first-team squad and manager, Wayne Rooney. Steve Bruce still has Jamal Lascelles and Allan Saint-Maximan recovering from a COVID-19 outbreak, six weeks ago. “Financially it...
Tottenham Hotspur eyeing up Serie A youngster
Tottenham Hotspur are looking to sign Sampdoria youngster Mikkel Damsgaard, according to journalist Nicolo Schira on Twitter. The 20-year-old joined Sampdoria from Nordsjaelland in the summer transfer window of 2020 for an estimated fee of €6.7m. His opening months have in Serie A have been promising, registering two goals and three assists in 15 appearances, including an assist against title-chasing Inter Milan last time out. Damsgaard is attracting attention for his performances this season This form has attracted attention from Tottenham, who are being linked with the Danish winger by journalist Nicolo Schira. The Lilywhites have had some troubles on the wings this season. While Heung-min Son and Harry Kane have are guaranteed starters in the front three, no one can nail down their...
Alisson’s agent reveals he nearly joined Real Madrid
Fabrizio De Vecchi, agent of Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker, has revealed to AS that he almost moved to Real Madrid. In 2018, Alisson came to Liverpool, replacing the highly questionable Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius. Within two seasons, the Brazilian stopper won the Champions League and the Premier League with the Reds. Alisson has enjoyed some incredible times at Liverpool Alisson is one of the main men credited with turning Liverpool’s fortunes around, and elevating them to the next level needed to win major honours. But things could have turned out so differently had he instead made the move to Madrid. Speaking to Spanish outlet AS, De Vecchi claimed that his client almost went to the Bernabeu in 2018 before his transfer to Jurgen Klopp’s side. “It will seem strange, but I have ...
Report: Tottenham plotting January move for versatile £45m Real Madrid man
According to AS, Tottenham Hotspur head coach Jose Mourinho is keen on bringing Real Madrid defender Eder Militao to North London before the end of the January transfer window. Spurs were interested in signing the Brazilian during the summer, but a move didn’t work out. They are now willing to try again as Mourinho looks to bolster his options at the back for a crucial and busy second half of 2020-21. Militao is out of favour at the Santiago Bernabeu and has played just three times across La Liga and Champions League so far this season. Madrid could be open to letting him go, but Spurs and other suitors must be willing to pay close to the £45 million they spent on him in the summer of 2019. The 22-year-old is primarily a centre-back, but he plays excellently well at right-back too, and suc...
‘Certainly no chance’: James Pearce claims Liverpool star definitely won’t leave this month
Earlier this week, Todo Fichajes reported that Georginio Wijnaldum has already decided to quit Anfield and join Barcelona as a free agent this summer. The report claimed that Wijnaldum has turned down a new contract offer from Liverpool as it didn’t meet his expectations. However, according to James Pearce of The Athletic, Wijnaldum’s situation has remained unchanged. He hasn’t turned down a new deal, and Jurgen Klopp, the Reds boss, is hopeful that he can convince the former Newcastle United midfielder to stay at the club. The 30-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, and he is free to hold talks with clubs abroad. Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman is a keen admirer of the player and wanted to sign him during the summer. The Catalan giants didn’t have th...
Report: Newcastle keeping tabs on Leeds target who is ‘keen to move on’
According to reports from The Athletic, Newcastle United are monitoring the situation of Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori in the January transfer window. The Magpies boss, Steve Bruce, is looking to sign one or two players this month, and Tomori could be an option on loan for the Magpies. The defender’s situation Tomori made 22 appearances for Chelsea last season and it looked like he has got a big future at the London club. The 23-year-old, however, has struggled for regular game time in 2020-21 and has managed only three games in all competitions so far, including a substitute appearance in the Premier League. His situation hasn’t changed despite a knee injury to Andreas Christiansen. He is surplus to requirements under Frank Lampard and the player is keen to move...
Report: Newcastle make enquiry for 28-yr-old, former PL player will cost €5-7m
Newcastle United are thought to be keen on signing the Monaco defender Djibril Sidibe. The 28-year-old joined Everton on loan in 2019 and he managed to impress with the Toffees. According to Footmercato, Everton tried to sign the defender for this season as well but Monaco were not keen on another loan deal. The French outfit value the player between €5 to 7 million and it will be interesting to see if Newcastle United are ready to pay the asking price. The defender has a contract with the French club until the summer of 2022 and Monaco will be keen on selling him as soon as possible. His value will continue to plummet with time and the French outfit need to find a buyer soon. Sidibe could prove to be a quality addition to the Newcastle United defence and he could be an upgrade on DeAndre ...
Premier League Player of the Month nominees for December announced
The shortlist for the Premier League Player of the Month award for December has been revealed. Manchester United and Aston Villa are the two most heavily represented clubs, boasting two nominees each. This is unsurprising, as both sides went unbeaten in the league during December. Manchester City, Liverpool, West Ham United, and Burnley are also represented in the shortlist. The winner will be revealed on Friday 15th January. Bruno Fernandes Fernandes is nominated for his fourth POTM award The Portuguese playmaker is almost beginning to form a monopoly on the Player of the Month award, having already won it three times in 2020. In December, Bruno Fernandes scored three goals and registered a further four assists. He was influential in Man Utd’s dismantling of Leeds United, and dragged the ...
‘Makes no sense’, ‘frustrating’: Many Liverpool fans react to what Klopp has just said
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said yesterday that the Reds are ‘unlikely’ to sign a new defender in the January transfer window. Popular football pundit Jamie Carragher said last week that Liverpool could struggle to retain their Premiership title if they fail to sign a new centre-back. Klopp: “This club will always be very responsible with the things we do. If the world was in a normal place and then 3 senior CBs got injured, is that a situation when you would do something? Yes, usually. But it’s not.” — James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) January 7, 2021 Both Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk are long term absentees, while Joel Matip is injury prone, and currently out injured. Fabinho, a natural central defensive midfielder, has played as a makeshift centre-back this season, while...
‘Yes, soon’: Klopp reveals Liverpool man is about to return from injury
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp revealed yesterday at his press conference that midfielder Naby Keita is close to returning to full fitness. The 25-year-old is a highly-rated midfielder but his career at Liverpool has been blighted by injuries. This season, he has struggled to keep himself away from injuries and hasn’t played since Liverpool’s 7-0 win against Crystal Palace. However, it seems that Keita is close to a return, and will be available for selection at some point this month. Nevertheless, the game against Aston Villa has come too soon for him. When asked whether the No.8 was close to a return, Klopp said to Liverpool official website: “Yes, soon, but not for the Villa game.” SL View: Top player but too injury prone Keita is a very good midfielder and he brings a different qual...
‘Good space’: Arteta says Arsenal man is now training ‘really good’, could start vs Newcastle
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed that summer signing Thomas Partey is doing ‘really good’ in training and that he could feature against Newcastle United in the FA Cup clash on Saturday. The Gunners paid £45m to sign Partey from Atletico Madrid in the summer transfer window, but the club is yet to see his best form since his arrival. Partey made only five appearances in the Premier League so far, including a top-class display against Manchester United at Old Trafford. He has struggled with injuries and hasn’t played since Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat against Tottenham in December. The midfielder is stepping up his recovery and could feature against the Magpies. Arteta seems impressed with his performance in training and has suggested that it won’t be long before he makes a comeback to th...
Report: Liverpool plotting to sign £40m Leeds target with Bielsa in two minds
According to The Sun, Liverpool have registered an interest in Udinese midfielder Rodrigo De Paul as they look to further bolster their squad going forward. The Argentina international has been on Leeds United’s radar since last summer, but his £40 million price tag put them off. Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa is in two minds as to whether to return with a bid for De Paul this month or wait until next summer. The 26-year-old isn’t short of suitors and is also wanted by Inter Milan, and Leeds will have to move quickly to have a chance of landing him. Liverpool have also made their interest known, and Bielsa’s side could be forced to accelerate their plans and try to buy the midfielder before the end of the January transfer window. Leeds turned their attention towards French midfielder Mic...
